Benefits Of Complementary Therapies
There is no simple answer to this question as there are so many types of therapy, and responses vary for each person. Although no complementary therapies have been scientifically proven to slow, stop or reverse the development of Parkinsons, many people have experienced benefits from complementary therapies such as better general health, decreased pain and improvements in mood.
Are Complementary Therapies Available On The Nhs Or The Hsc In Northern Ireland
This will depend on the type of therapy you want and the policy in your area.
Some hospitals and GP practices offer a few complementary therapies like acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage, osteopathy and chiropractic treatments.
Speak to your GP, specialist or Parkinsons nurse about whats available locally. Your Parkinsons local adviser may also be able to help you.
Some GPs have training in complementary therapies. If they cant provide the treatment themselves, they may be able to refer you to a therapist on the NHS.
How Might Massage Therapy Help
Research suggests that massage may help to reduce pain and anxiety and depression, although theres no conclusive evidence. Abdominal massage may also help with constipation.
Many people with Parkinsons and their carers have told us they find massage therapy useful as a way to relax and to have time to themselves.
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How Much Does It Cost
If your chosen therapy isnt available on the NHS or HSC, you may have to pay. Costs for complementary therapies will vary, depending on the type of therapy you want, the length of the treatment and where you live.
At your first session the therapist will usually take a medical history and get to know you a bit better. As a result the first session may cost more than any follow-up sessions.
Practitioners usually recommend several treatment sessions. Before committing yourself to a course of treatment, make sure you ask about the cost.
You may also find it useful to ask when you can expect to feel any improvement and when to call it a day if you dont see the results youre hoping for.
Private health insurance may pay for some types of complementary therapy. Before you book a treatment session, ask your insurer if its covered by your policy and how to arrange payment.
Weve heard from many carers who have tried complementary therapies, some with very positive experiences. Again, its a personal choice.
If you care for someone with Parkinsons, its important to look after your own physical and mental health. You may find that complementary therapies are a good way to have time to yourself, reduce stress and do something you enjoy.
In some areas, the NHS, local councils and charities offer free or low-cost therapies to carers. Speak to your GP or a Parkinsons local adviser about whats available in your area.
Auriculotherapy As A Treatment And Therapeutic Principle
Permanent Auriculotherapy is a technique based on acupuncture, and it is successfully applied in the treatment of Parkinsons Disease and other related treatment of neurological diseases.
Its starting point is the auricular pavilion, which is linked to the central nervous system through a multitude of nerve endings and therefore we call it Auricular Acupuncture or Ear Acupuncture. The microimplants thus stimulate a natural permanent signal, which is transmitted immediately to the brain, giving rise to its therapeutic effect.
Some diseases originating in the central nervous system can be treated with this Auriculo-puncture therapy, in many cases the natural therapeutic mechanisms of the organism that self-regulates the production of areas responsible for mobility as the nigra substance or other neurotransmiters are paralyzed.
Focusing on this aspect, and more specifically on Parkinsons disease, with this therapy we achieve in many cases the therapeutic effect by means of a permanent neuronal stimulus originated in the ear.
To achieve this effect, small titanium needles are implanted under the skin and in the cartilage of the ear. The microimplants thus stimulate a natural permanent signal, which is transmitted immediately to the brain, giving rise to its therapeutic effect.
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Natural Treatments For Parkinsons Disease: The Facts
It’s important to note that there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, natural or otherwise. However, many patients find that medication combined with physical exercise and home remedies help them control their symptoms and live well with the condition. No treatment will stop your Parkinson’s disease from progressing. However, homeopathic treatments for Parkinson’s disease have been successful at controlling symptoms in many cases.
Here are the facts surrounding natural and homeopathic treatments for Parkinsons disease:
Regeneration Of Mandibular Bony Defects
The first clinical study using DPSCs for oro-maxillo-facial bone regeneration was conducted in 2009 . Patients in this study suffered from extreme bone loss following extraction of third molars. A bio-complex composed of DPSCs cultured on collagen sponge scaffolds was applied to the affected sites. Vertical repair of the damaged area with complete restoration of the periodontal tissue was demonstrated six months after the treatment. Three years later, the same group published a report evaluating the stability and quality of the regenerated bone after DPSCs transplantation . Histological and advanced holotomography demonstrated that newly formed bone was uniformly vascularized. However, it was of compact type, rather than a cancellous type which is usually the type of bone in this region.
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Speech And Sound Therapy
Parkinsons Disease can cause Dysphagia , Hypophonia and Monotonous Speech. Problems with speech and swallowing can be severely limiting symptoms of Parkinsons but can be helped by seeing a speech pathologist or speech therapist.
Speech Therapy is an intervention therapy that can help people with Parkinsons to improve impairments and maintain as many communication skills as possible. They also teach techniques that conserve energy, including non-verbal communication skills.
Exploring Alternative Therapies For Parkinsons Disease
Because no two Parkinsons disease patients are alike, a Michigan Medicine neurologist encourages patients to consider conventional and alternative treatment options.
When Michigan Medicine neurologist Chauncey Spears, M.D., speaks to his patients with Parkinsons disease, he likes to make one thing clear: No two patients with Parkinsons disease are exactly alike.
There may very well be similarities between given patients, but every patient is unique, he says. Everybody is very different in their overall needs, as well as in their responses to treatments and medications.
For this reason, when it comes to the topic of alternative therapies for treating Parkinsons disease, Spears believes that patients are the best educators. There may be that one patient on the Internet who responds remarkably well to marijuana, but that may not be the case for the next person, he says.
Spears also wants to clear the air on how he views alternative therapies: Not as a last resort for PD patients, but as a diverse group of medical therapies, interventions, treatments, practices or products that dont fall under the category of conventional Western treatment practices.
Too often, patients believe that alternative therapies are a doctors way of saying, We’ve exhausted all conventional measures. One last desperate option is to put you on an alternative medicine.
This, he says, is not the case.
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Naturaltreatment For Parkinsons #9 Exercise And Other Alternative Therapies:
Regular exercise has been shown to help Parkinsonssufferers by reducing muscle stiffness, increasing mobility, and enhancing postureand balance. Exercise also increases oxygen levels and neurotransmitters, alongwith releasing potent mood elevating chemicals called endorphins.
The type of exercise performed for PD is crucial. Aqua orwater aerobics can be particularly useful as traditional exercise is usuallyquite difficult for many Parkinsons sufferers. Muscle decline, loss of strength,stiffness and loss of balance can make conventional exercises difficult toperform. The great thing about aqua aerobics is it still has the same benefits as other exercise regimens,but the risk of falling is eliminated.
Other types of exercises that can be beneficial for PDsufferers include Tai Chi, Yoga, dancing, walking, aerobic/jazzercise classes,and general stretching.
For more information on the different exercise programsavailable for Parkinsons patients, you can check out this website Exercise and Physical Therapy for ParkinsonsDisease
What Evidence Should I Trust
Theres a lot of information on complementary therapies, particularly on the internet, that claims to be based on scientific evidence. But its not all reliable.
To help make sure youre reading accurate and useful information thats not misleading you may find it helps to ask yourself the following questions:
- Where is the research published? Research should normally be peer-reviewed in professional journals. This means that before the details are released, it has been reviewed by other experts not involved in the study.
- How many patients were involved in the study? The higher the number, the more reliable the study usually is.
- Is the result of the study a one-off or have other scientists confirmed it?
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Naturaltreatment For Parkinsons #6 Magnesium & Iodine:
Magnesium is vital for the health of the entire nervoussystem, especially the protective layer that surrounds the nerves . Magnesiumis also essential for the production of dopamine and helps protect dopaminergicneurons in the substantia nigra from degeneration. In addition to this, new evidence is showing that low levels of magnesium in the brain causes a build-up ofheavy metals a major factor in the development of Parkinsons, Alzheimers,epilepsy and MS. In a recent trial, 30 epileptics were given 450 mg ofmagnesium daily and this successfully controlled their seizures. Ifmagnesium can help epilepsy patients, it can certainly help Parkinsons sufferers. Worldrenowned magnesium expert and author, Dr Carolyn Dean, has both Parkinsons andAlzheimers disease in her top 55 health conditions caused by amagnesium deficiency list and says that magnesium is 100% essential for the preventionand treatment of both of these diseases Dr Carolyn Dean Interview
In regards to iodine, well-known researcher and author,Dr James Howenstein, says
Iodineis found in large quantities in the brain and the ciliary body of the eye. A lackof iodine may be involved in the production of Parkinson’s disease andglaucoma.
Inthe brain, iodine concentrates in the substantia nigra, an area of the brainthat has been associated with Parkinson’s disease.
David Brownstein M.D. 9
Best Sources of Magnesium and Iodine
-What Youll Need
1 cup of Magnesium Chloride Flakes
1 cup of Distilled Water
Professional Ethics In Complementary And Alternative Medicines In Management Of Parkinsons Disease
A good, succinct summary of the evidence for various Complementary and Alternative Medicine treatments for PD including Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, etc., with a good discussion of the ethical and safety considerations physicians should keep in mind when discussing CAM with patients and their families.
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Can I Use Complementary Therapies Instead Of Taking Parkinsons Medication
Complementary therapies dont work as a replacement for Parkinsons medication. Stopping or making changes to your Parkinsons medication can be dangerous without the guidance of your specialist or Parkinsons nurse.
Generally speaking, the complementary therapies listed in this information are considered safe. But before taking tablets, pills or capsules, applying creams or drops or drinking teas, you should talk to your GP, specialist or Parkinsons nurse. This is because some herbs and remedies may have side effects or clash with medications youre already taking. Your healthcare professional may also be able to recommend a therapist, or advise you on other sources of information.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is the government agency responsible for making sure that medicines and medical devices work, and are safe.
Some complementary therapies may not be safe during pregnancy. So its essential that you tell not only your GP, specialist or Parkinsons nurse but also your complementary therapist if youre trying for or expecting a baby.
Its not always easy to tell what is or isnt safe and many organisations offering therapy give the impression of being reliable even when theyre not.
How Might Conductive Education Help
Some people find that conductive education helps to control the physical symptoms of Parkinsons, including tremor, rigidity and slowness of movement. By learning strategies which help overcome movement and other everyday problems, conductive education can increase feelings of confidence and independence.
Although conductive education is well established as a treatment for Parkinsons, there is little supporting medical evidence for its effectiveness.
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Parkinsons Disease Natural Treatment & Remedies In 5 Steps
Parkinsons disease is a degenerative illness of the nervous system that results in loss of intentional movement and impaired motor functioning. Parkinsons disease symptoms affects smooth, natural movements of the body, and can make it hard to perform everyday tasks like speaking properly, walking, swallowing and sleeping.
With Parkinsons, the area of the brain that controls muscular movements receives less dopamine than usual. Dopamine is an important chemical necessary for not only coordinating proper body movements, but also things like learning, increasing motivation and regulating moods. This is one reason why depression and other mood changes often affect those with Parkinsons.
What causes Parkinsons, and is it curable? There is no specific known cause, but some aggravating factors include exposure to certain chemicals and toxic water, plus inflammation of the brain. While there is no cure for Parkinsons , there are medications available to boost dopamine in the brain and help manage symptoms.
A 2016 study by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan also found a possible way to stop the progression of Parkinsons. Researchers created caffeine-based chemical compounds which also contained nicotine, metformin and aminoindan that prevented the misfolding of alpha-synuclein, a protein necessary for dopamine regulation.
The Importance Of Treatment
As Parkinson’s disease takes its course, nerve cells responsible for the production of dopamine slowly die off. As more and more of these cells are destroyed, the patient suffers from a loss of muscle function.
But by undergoing treatment for Parkinson’s disease, it may be possible to better control the following symptoms:
- Problems with movement
- Shaking
- Slowed speech
Seeking treatment for Parkinson’s disease also might help reduce the risk of Parkinson’s-related complications, such as depression, sleep problems, urinary problems, constipation, and sexual dysfunction.
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Parkinson’s Disease Alternative Medicine
Hope is a powerful thing. Without hope for a better future, the will to live is lost and recovery, no matter what the affliction, is impossible.
Imagine then, being told by your doctor that you have a progressive and degenerative disease that robs you of the ability to control your own body. A disease for which there is no cure.
This is the reality for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Hope is offered in the form of medication such as Levodopa. Levodopa acts to restore levels of dopamine in the brain. The lack of dopamine is the primary reason for the symptoms associated with the condition. Since it first began being administered in the 1960’s, it has lessened much of the suffering experienced by millions of people throughout the world, and is recognised as the “gold standard” in medical treatment of the disease. However, it can not completely reverse the symptoms, and like all drugs, is more effective in some than others.
Consequently many have sought hope in alternative treatments. Parkinson’s disease has been a recognised ailment in virtually all cultures since ancient times. Many of these ancient treatments are becoming popular in the west and are increasingly validated by western medicine.
Broad beans– Australian researchers discovered that broad beans are also an extremely effective natural source of L-dopa. The highest concentration of L-dopa is found in the pod so they are most effective when consumed whole.
Alternative Treatment For Parkinson’s Disease
For those people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, they have to find their treatment through a qualified doctor. However, there are a lot of people who are not really keen about the traditional treatment for Parkinson’sdisease. There are also people who have been taking the traditional medication for Parkinson’s without seeing too much of a result. It is for these people that alternative treatment is recommended. Alternative treatment includes dietary changes, exercise, massage, ayureda, aromatherapy, yoga, chiropractic treatment, hypnosis etc. Here are a few such alternative treatments for Parkinson’s:
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Alternative Treatments For Parkinson’s Disease
Claudia Chaves, MD, is board-certified in cerebrovascular disease and neurology with a subspecialty certification in vascular neurology.
For people with Parkinson’s disease, treatment typically involves the use of medications that help minimize movement problems and control symptoms. A disorder of the central nervous system, Parkinson’s disease also can be better managed with the help of certain lifestyle changes.
Since many medications used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease can cause severe side effects, patients often seek alternative treatment options.
Risk Factors And Causes
There isnt one single cause of Parkinsons that has been proven at this time. Researchers believe a loss of the neurotransmitter dopamine, neurological damage, inflammation and brain cell deterioration are among the primary factors that trigger Parkinsons development. But why exactly patients develop these problems is a complex issue that remains up for debate.
What is known is that certain risk factors can make someone more susceptible to developing Parkinsons disease, which can include:
- Being a man, especially during older age. Research suggests that men in their 50s and 60s are most likely to develop Parkinsons.
- Genetic susceptibility: Studies have now identified several gene mutations that can put someone at a greater risk. Parkinsons has also been found to run in families, and having a sibling or parent increases someones risk.
- Damage to the area of the brain called the substantia nigra, which produces brain cells that are responsible for making dopamine.
- Toxicity and exposure to chemicals, including pesticides present on produce from non-organic farming. Living in a rural area and drinking well-water that might contain chemicals is another environmental risk factor.
- Poor diet, nutrient deficiencies, food allergies and an unhealthy lifestyle.
- Hormonal imbalances and other medical conditions that affect cognitive health and increase inflammation.
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